Jeffrey Flanagan is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jflanagankc. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Moose isn't likely to see many spring shifts

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Outlook: Moustakas, 3B, KC 1:09

Mike Moustakas is a great defender with a power bat but can round out his game by improving his average and numbers against lefties

By Jeffrey Flanagan
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MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- One of the big questions this spring is how much progress third baseman Mike Moustakas will make in trying to combat the shift, which hampered his season in 2014.

But Moustakas' work likely will be restricted to times that he is in the batting cage -- the Royals do not anticipate other teams will go into the shift in Spring Training against him for fear of giving Moustakas too much practice against it.

Jeffrey Flanagan is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jflanagankc. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Madson excited over tweak in his mechanics

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Stewart on Madson's potential 2:04

Royals broadcaster Steve Stewart discusses how veteran reliever Ryan Madson could help the club in 2015 after signing a Minor League deal

By Jeffrey Flanagan
/
MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Ryan Madson isn't too concerned about his minor setback -- he felt some stiffness in his lower back over the weekend that prevented him from throwing on Monday.

In fact, Madson is pretty excited about the new mechanics that pitching coach Dave Eiland has taught him this spring -- Madson is less upright in his delivery and is doing more "drop and drive" toward the plate, which is a Royals' staple.

Jeffrey Flanagan is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jflanagankc. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Gustave could stick on Royals' 25-man roster

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Yost on first intrasquad game 1:02

Ned Yost talks about the Royals' first intrasquad game of the spring as the team prepares for the upcoming season

By Jeffrey Flanagan
/
MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Jandel Gustave, a Rule 5 Draft pick, intrigued the Royals' scouting department enough with his 101-mph fastball that the club considers it a real possibility that it could carry him on the 25-man roster all season.

But Gustave certainly struggled in his first showing on Sunday in an intrasquad game, giving up a walk on four pitches, and then later, allowing four straight solid hits.

Jeffrey Flanagan is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jflanagankc. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Hochevar straight forward on throwing curveballs

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Hochevar on new Royals contract 2:09

Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar discusses his rehab from injury and why he's happy to be back with the Royals for the next two seasons

By Jeffrey Flanagan
/
MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Luke Hochevar remembers the exact pitch that he blew out his elbow on last Spring Training -- a curveball.

"I remember throwing it and I felt a pop and burn," Hochevar said on Sunday. "I didn't think a whole lot about it at the time because I'd been battling tightness and soreness since 2010 really. Then, I threw a cutter to get the final out of that inning and got back to the bench, and I started to wonder what was going on.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- In the midst of a discussion of the importance of the coming season for Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin paused, and smiled.

"The game is a challenge," he said. "A few years ago, there were questions about Alex Gordon, and the buzz was about Braun, [Troy] Tulowitzki and [Ryan] Zimmerman. Now? They've all had their problems the last couple years and you'd say Gordon has become the most consistent."

Tracy Ringolsby is a columnist for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Blanton brushing off shaky intrasquad outing

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Yost on first intrasquad game 1:02

Ned Yost talks about the Royals' first intrasquad game of the spring as the team prepares for the upcoming season

By Jeffrey Flanagan
/
MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Joe Blanton hasn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2013, and he hasn't faced a hitter since last April, when he pitched in two games for Oakland's top affiliate before retiring from baseball.

Blanton's road back got off to a bumpy start in the Royals' first intrasquad game of the spring. He gave up four straight hits, including a booming double by Eric Hosmer off the center-field screen. After striking out Erik Kratz, Blanton served up a screaming two-run double to left to Ryan Roberts before pitching coach Dave Eiland said that was enough and called the inning.

Jeffrey Flanagan is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jflanagankc. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yost offers thoughts on Finnegan in 'pen

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Top Prospects: Finnegan, KC 0:54

2015 MLB.com Top Prospects: Brandon Finnegan has the stuff to start, with a three-pitch mix

By Jeffrey Flanagan
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MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- There is a perception by some observers that keeping rookie left-hander Brandon Finnegan on the 25-man roster and in the Royals' bullpen would be "wasting" him because he was a first-round Draft pick chosen to be an eventual starter.

Jeffrey Flanagan is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jflanagankc. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yost trusts players to take care of themselves off the field

With news of Sale's accident, Royals skipper not worried about own team

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Yost on KC's veteran leadership 2:04

Ned Yost discusses how the Royals' veterans are mentoring the young players, Alex Gordon's rehab and the great pitching he has seen in camp

By Jeffrey Flanagan
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MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- News that White Sox left-hander Chris Sale -- likely the Opening Day starter against the Royals on April 6 if healthy -- suffered an avulsion fracture on the lateral side of his right foot naturally was of interest to Royals manager Ned Yost.

Sale is expected to be out at least three weeks and is questionable for the opener.

Jeffrey Flanagan is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jflanagankc. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Young Mondesi shows promise at camp

Still in his teens, MLB's No. 40 prospect comes from talented family

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Top Prospects: Mondesi, KC 0:54

2015 MLB.com Top Prospects: Raul Adalberto Mondesi is capable of hitting well from both sides of the plate with double-digit home run power

By Jesse Sanchez
/
MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz -- It was Photo Day at Royals camp Friday morning, the time of spring when players suit up in their game uniforms, hold up a sheet of white paper with their name written in black permanent marker across the front and smile for the camera.

Jesse Sanchez is a national reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Colon in good shape, hoping for long season in Majors

After big league debut last year, infielder suited for several positions with Royals

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Yost impressed with camp so far 2:35

Royals manager Ned Yost talks about taking the first big step of spring, starting Christian Colon at short and his diverse pitching staff

By Jesse Sanchez
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MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- It didn't take long for Royals infielder Christian Colon to realize that in order for him to become a better all-around baseball player, he'd have to become a much better racquetball player.

"I learned to move around a little bit, and it helped with that," Colon said. "I worked out all winter, twice a day. It was an all-day thing, and it wasn't the easiest, especially in California, with all the traffic to and from, but my family was very supportive."

Jeffrey Flanagan is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jflanagankc. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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'Bachelor' Juan Pablo visits Royals camp

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By Jeffrey Flanagan and Dakota Gardner / MLB.com |

Former star of ABC's "The Bachelor" Juan Pablo Galavis, known to most as, simply, Juan Pablo, is something of an honorary Major Leaguer. He's thrown out a (not great) first pitch before a Marlins game:

And he's good friends with several current players, even serving as a representative of the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame. Seriously.